Question 29 of 42intermediate💡 UnderstandShort Answer3 marks
Explain and arrange the following statements in the correct chronological order to show how atomic models have evolved over time.
(i)
Bohr’s model proposed that electrons move in fixed orbits around the nucleus, each with a definite energy.
(ii)
Thomson’s model depicted the atom as a ‘plum pudding’ with electrons embedded in a sphere of positive charge.
(iii)
Rutherford’s model proposed that atoms have a dense central nucleus.
(iv)
Dalton’s model described atoms as indivisible particles.
Explanation
The evolution of atomic models began with Dalton's indivisible atom, followed by Thomson's plum pudding model after the discovery of subatomic particles, then Rutherford's nuclear model, and finally Bohr's model with fixed orbits.